Hindus in the country will celebrate Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, today with due festivity and religious fervour.

Different socio-cultural and religious organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes that include worship of Lord Krishna, Geeta Jagna, Kirtan and dance, discussion, drama and processions to observe the festival.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages have greeted the Hindus on the occasion.

The day is a public holiday.

Organisations, including Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikkyo Parishad, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbojoneen Puja Committee, have also greeted the community's people.

Mahanagar Sarbojoneen Puja Committee, the Bangladesh chapter of International Society for Krishna Consciousness and Shree Shree Janmashtami Udjapan Parishad have announced programmes for two, three and four days respectively to celebrate the occasion.

The traditional Janmashtami procession will be brought out from the national Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital at 3:00pm and will end at Bahadur Shah Park in the old town after marching different streets.

Other programmes of the temple include recitation from the holy Geeta and Geeta-Jagna seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country in the morning and Krishna Puja at night.

Besides, a discussion will be held at Dhakeshwari Temple on life of Shree Krishna tomorrow (Monday).

Krishna is perceived by Hindus to be an avatar (incarnation) of god Vishnu. It is believed that all other deities are manifestations of him. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher and philosopher by Hindus.